The Wait is Over!

FINALLY the X Factor USA judging panel has been revealed! After months and months of speculation over who would occupy the other three judging seats next to Simon Cowell on the hotly anticpated FOX-produced television show, it's been revealed that British singing sensation and UK X Factor judge, Cheryl Cole, Emmy-award winning choreographer and Grammy-award winning singer, Paula Abdul and Grammy-award winning music producer, Antonio 'LA' Reid will join Simon on the panel when the show airs in the US in September 2011. It's also been revealed that ex Pussycat Doll and international solo-superstar, Nicole Scherzinger will co-host the show along with Welsh TV presenter Steve Jones.

I have been ridiculously intrigued as to who would land the judging roles, but if I'm honest, I can't help but feel it was all slightly anti-climactic. As soon as Simon Cowell announced his intention to take the X Factor stateside there was speculation surrounding who would join him on the US panel. Right from the off Cheryl was linked to the role. Then Nicole. Then Katy Perry. Then Nicki Minaj. Then Cheryl. Then Paula. Then Mariah. Then Cheryl. It was a vicious cycle and Cheryl's name was constantly appearing. Pretty much a guarantee that she had bagged the role, right? Especially if she was a constant link even against artists like Katy Perry and Mariah who are already huge in the states in comparison to Cheryl, who is a virtual unknown. But I think she deserved the job. Love or hate her, she's a brilliant judge. She takes the contestants under her wing and nurtures their talent and week-on-week her category blooms whilst other judges' wither. Whether she will be a huge success like she is here in the UK remains to be seen, but to bag such a big role for her debut in the US must mean she has something special about her for Simon and FOX executives to take such a big risk on her. I hope she proves all the haters wrong, it's about time the UK had a good ambassador to represent us in the States.

As for Paula Abdul gaining a judging role, that was also pretty much certain. After appearing on American Idol with Simon for eight seasons, their on-screen chemistry will pull in the viewers. Admittedly, Paula knows her stuff when it comes to having the X Factor, being a multi-talented performer herself. But I'm not sure how she will be as a mentor to the contestants when she is given her own category. I have no doubt she'll mother them, but she needs to me a mentor, not a mother. Cheryl has won two out of the three seasons that she has judged in the UK which proves her ability to spot talent. Simon has masterminded the careers of global superstars Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle. Paula, on the other hand, has never had such a responsibility. But I'm sure she is more than up for the challenge and it will be exciting to see Paula and Cheryl battle against Simon.

The final judge, LA Reid is a fantastic choice for a judge. He has masterminded Mariah Carey's comeback in 2005 and launched the career of Rihanna and Justin Bieber. I think he will be a fantastic mentor to the contestants and I think the contestants will really look up to him on a personal and professional level. LA Reid can spot talent, that's for sure. I think the diverse range in the judges musical backgrounds really shows that Simon has thought about the judging panel for the launch of the US X Factor. However, I can't say I'm happy about the choice in presenters.

Nicole Scherzinger is a global superstar and is huge in America after her success with the Pussycat Dolls, so I can't help thinking that maybe she would have been a more appropriate choice of judge instead of Cheryl. Do not think I dislike Cheryl; I'll be the first to support Cheryl when the going gets tough. But I feel Nicole's credentials have been overlooked by favouritism. Nicole was a huge hit last summer on the UK X Factor when she stood in for Cheryl Cole when she was diagnosed with malaria, and Nicole was invited back for the bootcamp stages, too, due to her success. Which makes me wonder why she has been offered the role of presenter rather than judge? Also, Nicole's solo music career is starting to take off, but will Nicole really be performing her music on the live stages of the show when she's there to present? Also, would Nicole really put her solo-career on hold after waiting for this success for such a long time? All I can say is that she must have been offered a HUGE paycheck to solidify her joining the show, especially when she may potentially have to give up so much.

As for Steve Jones. Well, I'm not fussed by him. No-one knows who he is in the states, and no-one will be able to understand his welsh accent, so, naturally, all eyes will be on Nicole.

There is no doubt that The X Factor will be a huge success and that American Idol will need to watch its back in order to compete. I just hope the UK X Factor isn't left in danger by losing its two biggest rating winners.

Judas has arrived!

And I'm not completely sure how I feel about it.

One thing I do know is that I'm an avid fan of Lady GaGa, and most of the time I love what she creates. But since she released 'Born this Way' I feel that GaGa hasn't delivered fully. 'Born this Way' was a generic Madonna-style 'Express Yourself' melody accompanied by GaGa's lyrics and vocals. But it was a weak comeback single, in my opinion. And the video was ridiculous.

Judas, on the other hand, is a damn catchy song. As I write this post, I'm listening to the song. The video, however, is another controversial GaGa creation. Using the story of Mary Magdalene as the basis of the video, GaGa portrays Magdalene herself and through the lyrics often references 'Jesus' and her beliefs. Just like she did in 'Alejandro'. And the video for 'Judas' will no doubt cause as much controversy and offence as what the 'Alejandro' video did.

Personally, I don't understand why GaGa feels the need to use so many biblical references in order to sell records. She is obscenely talented and doesn't need gimmicks to sell records. I'm not religious so I'm not offended by the content of the video, I just think there are so many other concepts she's could've used for the video if she hadn't littered the track with references to being beyond repentance in the most biblical sense and to being a holy fool for being in love with Judas. I just feel GaGa is losing that special something that made her the global superstar she is today. I wish she'd go back to basics. Judas and Born this Way don't come close to tracks like Telephone and Poker Face.

But I've posted the video below so you can make your mind up - is GaGa losing her 'GaGa'?

Nicole Scherzinger - more than just a Doll?

The world knows Nicole Scherzinger as the 'lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls'. But Nicole has now left the comfort of the Pussycat Dolls and has ventured out, on her own, as a solo-artist. And she's doing surprisingly well...

There is no doubt that Nicole was the star attraction of the Pussycat Dolls. The other Dolls were merely glorified backing dancers. All through the Dolls' success, there was much controversy surrounding the over-exposure of Nicole in favour of the other girls, but Nicole had the full package; she could sing, dance and she was flawlessly pretty. The other Dolls couldn't compete. When it was announced that the Pussycat Dolls were splitting up to pursure solo projects, it finally gave Nicole the time to shine on her own and prove she was a star in her own right. And that's just what she did.

Following a successful guest judging stint on the X Factor, Nicole finally set her solo career in motion by performing her debut solo single, Poison, on the X Factor live shows in November. Poison debuted at number three on the UK singles chart. This successful debut was followed by her second single, Don't Hold Your Breath, which was even more successful than its predecessor; Don't Hold Your Breath debuted at number one on the UK singles chart, marking Nicole's first UK number one single as a solo artist.

After shelving her first attempt at a solo career in 2008, her debut album, Killer Love, is nothing short of amazing in my opinion. The album features everything you would expect from an ex Pussycat Doll - dance, pop, ballads, dub-step and even a bit of pop/rock. The eclectic mix of music on the album shows how out of her comfort zone Nicole is prepared to go in order to prove herself as an established, successful recording artist.

But her third single, Right There, is the perfect summer anthem and is sure to be a hit. It's one of my favourite songs off the album and I love the reggae vibe that the track samples. She seems to be channelling her inner Rihanna in this track. But the accompanying music video is what has me completely hooked. The video completely reflects the song, and I love everything about it - the choreography, the location, the styling. Everything. Check it out:

There was a time when I felt Nicole was overrated, but I'm converted. I feel that she's worked hard to achieve the success that she has and she fully deserves it. Also, with her work at such a high calibre already, it's exciting to see what she's going to do next.